The song of the day for Thursday, September 5, 2019, is “Undecided Blues.”
About This Song
“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into a musical family; his father was trumpet player and his mother a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing, with the Count Basie Orchestra, first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues.” This album has several Bennett solos, including this recording, as well as duets with artists including B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Kay Starr, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, Ray Charles, and Bonnie Raitt. It’s a great listen!
“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings the Blues, is available from iTunes.
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